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But it turns out that swapping credit scores and setting savings goals is one of the best ways
to build attraction.

At least that is the finding of a recent survey by the consumer-services division of Experian,
the large credit-reporting agency. The company polled about 1,000 married adults in April and
compared the results with a survey of a similar number of single adults from 2013.

Among both groups, financial compatibility was the second-most appealing quality of a mate,
behind like-minded personalities. (Physical attractiveness and career ambition ranked third and
fourth, respectively.)

In addition, among married couples, 63 percent of men and 70 percent of women said they found
their spouses more attractive if the couple talked about money at least once a month.

“That was really an unexpected finding for us,” said Becky Frost, senior manager of consumer
education at Experian.

It also might be surprising to anyone who has ever had a heated money-related discussion with a
significant other.

But Frost believes that the 2007-09 financial meltdown forced money issues to the forefront of
couples’ conversations, and that the discussions haven’t stopped.

In fact, the survey found that couples who married after 2008 were more likely to talk about
money than those who married before the crash.

For example, 61 percent of “post-recession couples” reported having discussed their credit
scores before marriage, compared with only 35 percent of those who got hitched before the
recession.

Financial planners suggest setting up regular money dates in which you can talk about the
budget, set financial goals and air concerns.

By scheduling a specific time, both partners can be prepared for the conversation. And by
talking regularly, you can tackle issues head-on.

“Over time, your relationship with money improves, and therefore your relationship with one
another probably improves,” said Brittney Castro, founder of Financially Wise Women, a planning
firm in Los Angeles.